Surgical Critical Care Specialist

Job SummaryThe Surgical Critical Care Specialist (SCCS) works as full member of the SICU multiprofessional critical care team. The SCCS contributes to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and provides leadership to the organization; one key component that contributes to the excellence in patient care is the critical role this clinician plays in continuity of care in the SICU. The SCCS functions as an intensivist under the supervision of the SICU Director or her designee. The SCCS collaborates with resident physicians in general surgery and surgical ciritical care fellows; as a collective group with the SICU attending, they manage all patients admitted to the SICU. The SCCS should have a strong foundation in evidenced based practice and education, and has a responsibility for ensuring adherence to critical care pathways and protocols. They also ensure an environment of safe quality care and continual quality improvement. The SCCS demonstrates an advanced level of medical and nursing knowledge, including expertise in mechanical ventilation and should function as a resource for the respiratory therapists in the SICU. They should also have clinical/technical competence including expertise in airway management, bronchoscopy (including equipment management), central line insertion, airway intubation, arterial cannulation, tube thoracostomy, and similar procedures. The SCCS demonstrates sound clinical judgment, professional communication skills, timely and compliant documentation, and is responsible for professional development and competency validation. They will also be involved in managing equipment issues and new products for the SICU. They will participate in multidisciplinary ICU meetings; align with PI projects; coordinate with the RT department; facilitate ongoing research. This job is anticipated to be a weekday only position initially but may expand to 24/7 coverage requiring days, nights and weekends. At times the SCCS may be called outside daytime hours for their experience in managing critically ill patients. The SCCS will be actively involved in quality and performance metrics and improvements in conjunction with the SICU physician/nursing leadership, and will be expected to contribute to educational and research activities in the SICU.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities1. Patient Care Assure consistent safe application of: Mechanical Ventilation, Nutrition, Resuscitation, Evidence-based guidelines, Bedside procedures. 2. Consistent availability for multidisciplinary and attending rounds. 3. Collaborates in plan of care using evidenced based practice guidelines, pathways or protocols 4. Assesses for risks associated with the care of the acute and complex chronically ill patient including medication side effects, immobility, impaired nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, immunocompetence, invasive interventions and diagnostic procedures. 5. The SCCS may serve as the first responder for both nursing and house staff in the event of patient status changes, orders, and in situations requiring procedural and resuscitative interventions. 6. Help plan/execute provider orders and prescriptions generated during ICU rounds. 7. Help plan/execute discharge plans. 8. h. May perform advanced procedures consistent with privileges and competency validation, including minor suturing, complex wound management, line and tube placements and removals. 9. Documentation is timely, meets critical care compliance standards and captures patient acuity. 10. For the benefit of individual patients, promote cohesive communication and execution between multiple disciplines, including but not limited to: Nursing, MDs all types, Respiratory therapy, Radiology, Pharmacy, CNAs/health care techs, Social Worker, Registered dieticians, Ancillary staff. 11. Assess educational needs of the patients / families and provide culturally-sensitive patient/family education interventions as indicated. 12. Use non-technical language when educating patients and families. 13. Document all pre and post-care education in patients’ medical record. 1 4. Facilitates and communicates with patient, family and staff to promote continuity of care across the inpatient continuum of care. 15. Contribute to ongoing education of surgical house staff, nursing, RTs. 16. Participate in critical care conferences and lecture series. 17. Participate in quality improvement projects in the SICU. 18. Participate actively in designing, implementing and improving unit specific performance metrics through DH Lean initiatives and other means where appropriate. 19. Review and comment on the safety and clinical feasibility of research activities in the SICU. 20. Support IRB approved clinical research/trials. 21. Facilitate excellent, safe, timely performance of procedures by the attending, residents and fellows. 22. Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities1. Knowledge of medical principals and procedures. 2. Knowledge of community resources for appropriate procedures. Skill in eliciting history from patients, performing physical exams and formulating assessments of and treatment plans for patients. 3. Ordering appropriate diagnostic studies to aid in diagnosis. 4. Knowledge of appropriate administration and prescription of medications. 5. Skill in utilizing the principles and practices of effective communication to elicit information, negotiate problem resolution, and/or garner support for various programs or policies. 6. Skill in obtaining information from patients, calming and reassuring patients and educating patients/families regarding their treatment. 7. Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in selecting proper treatment. 8. Ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations. 9. Ability to prepare accurate reports. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments and the public

Computers and Technology 1. Microsoft Office Suite 2. Epic

Education and Experience 1. Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy required. 2. PharmD preferred. 3. PGY1 residency experience, preferred 4. Five years of related experience required.

Licenses and Registration1. American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support for Health Care Provider Certification/CPR required. 2. Active Registered Nurse (RN) License in the State of Colorado or a participating compact state preferred. 3. National board certification is a preference preferred.

Location
Denver Health

Shift
Days

Work Type
Full time

Pay Range

Minimum: 32.44

Midpoint: 40.55

Maximum: 48.65

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Health is an integrated, efficient, high-quality academic health care system that is considered a model for the nation. The Denver Health system includes the Rocky Mountain Regional Level I Trauma Center, a 525-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 8 family health centers, 15 school-based health centers, the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, the Denver Public Health Department, an HMO, and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary safety net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided more than $3.3 billion in care for the uninsured in the last ten years. Denver Health is a leader in performance and quality improvements and remains financially secure, in part, due to its nationally recognized implementation of lean principles in healthcare. Denver Health is a major resource to the community, serving approximately 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.

Located just south of downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

We strongly support diversity in the workforce and Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

“Denver Health is committed to provide equal treatment and equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Denver Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.”